Shoulder pad



Jan. 5 1926. 1,568,238

` G. L. PIERCE SHOULDER PAD Filed Sept. 5, 1925 mbv@ Mdm @Hoz um,

tion.

Patented dan. 5, 1926.

UNITED STATES kPATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. PIERCE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. ASSIGNOR T0 A. G. SPALDING & BROS., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NE\V JERSEY.

SHOULDER PAD.

Application led September 3, 1925. Serial No. 54,309.

T o all whom.- z't may concern.:

Be it known that I, Grenen L. PIERCE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoulder Pads, of which the following is a specifica- This invention relates to shoulder pads of the t pe comlnonly used toprotect the shoul ers of football players.

The principal objects of the invention are: the provision of such a device of the type described which may eliciently protect the player with the minimum amount of discomfort to the player, which may be readily and cheaply manufactured7 vand which will present a neat and attractive appearance.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the 'description proceeds.

To this end the invention contemplates the provision of a pad comprising a shoulder portion adapted to overlie the shoulders of a player on both his chest and back, together with a rounded portion adapted to cover the joint of the arm with the shoulder. In each instance the invention contemplates forming the pad of foam rubber, in which the cells of rubber are unbroken. On top of this is placed the heavy leather protectivecovering, to which `is stitched a marginal portion of lighter leather. Directly beneath this li hter leather and adjacent the under edge o the rubber is a marginal or reinforcing strip of light material, and stitching the two marginal strips and the foam rubber together around the periphery of the pad.v

I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings one embodiment of my invention,

although it is to be understood that thismerely is for the purpose of making clear the principle involved. p In the drawings Figure 1 is a top p'lan view, partly in section showing one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the structure of the device in Fig." l. A

Fig. 3 is anl enlarged sectional elevation of a detail.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view shuwlng the means of fastening the plate and tab `together.

Referring now speciically to the drawings, the shoulder portion of the pad is shown to consist of a layer or sheet of foam rubber l of any desired thickness, upon which 1s superimposed a section of heavy protectlve material 2, such as leather. order to make the device as light as possible, the heavy leather 2 is'cut smaller than the rubber pad 1 and a marginal strip 3 of llghter leather or the like is stitched thereto around its periphery.

. Beneath the rubber pad 1 along its edge is provided a reinforcing strip 4. The pad is thenstitched through the marginal material 3, rubber 1 and reinforcement 4, the latter part preventing the stitching from cutting through the rubber.

Along one edge of the shoulder pad a strip 5 having eyelets 6 therein is stitched. The opposite side of the pad is likewise provided with an eyeleted strip, as is also the mate of the completespad, which goes on the opposite shoulder of 1the player. These two mates are adapted to be laced front and rear, as with lacing 7 in the usual manner.

A tab 8 is lsecured as by stitching to the shoulder pad opposite the neck portion, to'

which is secured as by lacing 9 or otherwise a joint guard 10 formed in the same way as the pad above described.

Overlying the Space between the joint guard 10 and the shoulder pad isla plate 11 of heavy leather or the like without padding, which is secured to a tab 12 by lacing 13. The tab 12 is suitably stitched to the protective coverin 2. No padding is necessary in the part 11 cause it does not come in contact with the players body.

As the cells in the foam rubber pad l are unbroken, the pad is absolutely non-absorbent to perspiration or other moisture. As such it will neither chafe or become rotted because of contact therewith.

I claim: v

1. A device of the type described coming a shoulder ad and a joint guard, each consisting of a s ieet of foam rubber, a heavy protective coverin therefor, a lighter marginal strip secure to the protective cover- 1n a reinforcing strip beneath the foam ruber, and stitchingiassing through marginal strip, rubber an reinforcing strip.

2. A device of the type described comprising a shoulder pad and a joint guard, each consisting of a. sheet of foam nubber, a heavy rubber, and stitching passing through mari ginal strip, rubber and reinforcing strif), sald reinforclng strip exteno'lng inward y but a slight distance from the under edge ofY the rubber sheet, leaving the under surface of the rubber sheet exposed except. for the slight area covered by the reinforcing strip. V15

In testimony whereof I ax my signal ture.

GEORGE L. PIERCE. 

